Running the Race
Our Rector, Russ, used a wonderful example in his Easter sermon about a female athlete running a race during which her legs would become numb and she could not stop herself at the finish line, so her coach would stand at the line, catch her as she ran past and get her to a place of safety off the track.
Paul in his letter to the Hebrews tells us “ to keep running steadily in the race we have started. Let us not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection. ” (Hebrews 12:1 – 4) Similarly, in 2 Timothy 4:7 – 8 it says, “ I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteous reserved for me, The Lord will give to me on that day and all who long for His Appearing. ”
The examples above can help us use running a race as an example of living our lives to keep going and keep our focus on Jesus as our goal. I ran track in the 1950s and I remember getting my “second wind” for the first time. I felt like I could have kept running forever! Yet that was not going to happen because I was a sprinter, not a long distant runner.
As we run the race of life, we cannot run forever even with a “second wind.” When we come to the finish line, as we all will, if we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will be there to catch us and bring us into the safety of new life with Him. “ I have gone to prepare a place for you and I will come and take you there, that where I am you will be also. ” John 14:1 – 6
During this time of COVID-19, we are worried about what will happen if we catch the virus and whether we will make it through. The answer to that will be in the hands of the medical staff and our Lord Jesus. In the meantime, keep the faith, and pray for each and every one of us that our Lord will keep us safe and in the palm of His hand as we run the race set for us. And I know that whenever our time comes, we will be with Him in heaven.
A prayer for today:
O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: by the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray you, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
